By Emma Berry
DUBAI, UAE—Torrential showers in Dubai on Thursday morning prompted a change of plan not just for the organisers of the popular Breakfast With The Stars event but also for John Gosden's sole contender for World Cup night, Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who remained on the Tapeta training track instead of heading to Meydan's turf track.
Tanya Gunther arrived at the track in time to see the colt she bred with her father John take an easy spin around under his regular rider Maurizio Varju, and she and Gosden, along with his son Thady and travelling head man Tony Procter, seemed satisfied with the progress of the G1 St James's Palace S. winner ahead of his clash with Almond Eye (JPN) (Lord Kanaloa {JPN}) in the G1 DP World Dubai Turf.
“We decided not to go on the turf because the training surface takes the rain very well,” said Gosden, who has twice been successful at this meeting in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic with Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling).
“He's been breezing at home and had a racecourse workout at Chelmsford just under a fortnight ago. Coming here without a race under the belt has worked for me in the past and it was never the plan for him to have a run. He's a horse who runs well fresh. He's taken the journey well, is eating well and looking well, so I'm very pleased with him.”
Without Parole and his fellow Dubai Turf contender, the grey Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper), had the training track to themselves as most of the international raiders opted to take their turn on the main track, including the Aidan O'Brien-trained quintet, led by Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
Trainer David O'Meara was on hand to watch Lord Glitters in company with his owners Geoff and Nick Turnbull, who stand their GI Arlington Million winner Mondialiste (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at home at Elwick Stud near Hartlepool.
“Danny [Tudhope] just got a feel of him and they went a half-mile in a strong canter,” O'Meara said. “He's travelled well and I was pleased to see a bit of rain—his best form is with a bit of cut in the ground. We've got a good draw so I'm happy enough going into the race. After this, we'll look at some of the top mile races in Britain, such as the Lockinge at Newbury and Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.”
The early rain has stopped by the time the duo emerged around 8am, but earlier it had been a case of dodging heavy showers as lightning strikes lit up the sky over the main track as the early birds emerged in the dark from 5am.
American-based Irishman Brendan Walsh, a former work rider in Dubai, will saddle his first World Cup night runner on Saturday, and he was at Meydan to watch his G2 UAE Derby contender Plus Que Parfait (Point Of Entry), who will be ridden by Jose Ortiz for Imperial Racing LLC.
Walsh said, “I worked here from 1997 to 2006 and the last time I was here on vacation was about 12 years ago. I always dreamed about this and it's surreal to really be here. I wanted to wait to run here until I had a horse that would acquit himself well. People keep asking me if I think I've got a chance and I wouldn't have brought him here with him if I didn't. I think he's got a shot.”
Among the 13 opponents Plus Que Parfait will face is Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Jahbath (GB), from the first crop of Shadwell stallion Mukhadram (GB), the recent facile winner of the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' Conditions S. at Kempton. His trainer William Haggas was on site with Sheikh Hamdan's racing team Angus Gold and Richard Hills to watch the strong colt put through his paces by Jim Crowley.
Haggas said, “He just stretched out over the last 400 metres and Jim felt that he was going nicely. I'm quite happy with how he has been, he looked great and Jim is pleased.”
Another Newmarket-based horse to have really caught the eye over the last few mornings is the seasoned traveller Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), who has been a picture of rude health in his daily workouts with Natasha Eaton. His trainer Charlie Fellowes has returned to Dubai after being present for his good fourth place in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold on Super Saturday.
He said of the Saeed bel Obaida-owned 6-year-old, who will renew his rivalry with Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, “He loves it out here, he really enjoys his travelling and looks great. He had the perfect prep race on Super Saturday and we've had a smooth run since then. I'm hopeful he'll go well in what does not look as strong a renewal of the race as last year. He could have done with a stronger pace in his last race. He was outpaced to start with then and then stayed on all the way to the line. The step up to 3200m will suit and he loves it around here. He's in a better place mentally and physically than he was 12 months ago so he should run well.”
One horse who will not make his planned engagement in the G1 Golden Shaheen on Saturday is dual GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Roy H (More Than Ready), who was ruled out by trainer Peter Miller on Thursday with a sore foot. The 7-year-old was third in the race last year to Mind Your Biscuits (Posse).
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